Where Nyipir/Gipir’s Royal Spear Is Kept
Continuing to serve its role as the Alur king’s palace (at Atyak Wi Naam) in Atyak sub-county, Zombo district, Atyak Wi Naam heritage site is where Nyipir/Gipir built his main palace and shrine in Okoro county. It is here that all kings are supposed to be enthroned.
From here, Nyipir/Gipir went to the present-day PaNdooro (Ngothe area) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and came back wounded on his leg. The smell from the wound left Nyipir/Gipir rejected by his own family including his wives and children. It is instead his dog that became his best friend, helping to lick the wound.
This made him recall his trouble with his brother Nyabongo/Labongo. A miserable Nyipir/Gipir made a decision to go to his uncle Nyangan in Locjudongo where he chose to be buried with his royal regalia. Through his uncle, he would tell the Padwot people to conceal the whereabouts of his gravesite to his wives and children.
On his way to Locjudongo, it is reported that Nyipir/Gipir realized he had forgotten his royal drum. But instead of going back to pick, it is said that the drum started to move on its own, rolling down with a resounding voice until it located him at Lei cultural site, nearly at the point of death.
However, another legend has it that Nyipir/Gipir never reached Atyak wi Naam; it is king Ngira, one of his grandchildren, who reached Okoro with Nyipir/Gipir’s royal spear and established his rule there.
According to this legend, the name “Okoro” is attributed to two things: that the Palei people who attended to Nyipir/Gipir’s cattle followed the cattle to Atyak and stayed there waiting for the king [Palei okuro dhyeng pa Rwoth]; and that the cattle waited for the king in this area [dhyeng okuro Rwoth].